Duane Round says his late brother Danny taught him a thing or two about home building, but perhaps Danny's best advice had nothing to do with construction.
Danny invited Duane to move to the Island in 1976. On Friday night at the Glassies, Duane was honoured as Parksville's Citizen of the Year.
"He also taught me when you live in a community you have to participate," Round said during his acceptance speech in front of more than 200 well-dressed residents.
Round is the owner of Parkwest Construction. He is president of the Oceanside Development and Construction Association, as well as the Parksville Lions Club, where he is also that service group's building chair and a leader of the Kingsley Low Rental Housing Society. He spent time on the board of the Parksville Community Centre Society and he served on city council in 2002-2003.
Round was one of the many businesses and residents nominated for award this year (you can see a full list of nominees and some information about each on our website, www.pqbnews.com).
Kickstart Fitness was honoured as the Business of the Year.
"I didn't really expect this whatsoever," said Kickstart owner Beth Alden, who started the business in the back of her truck about six years ago. "It truly means a lot to me . . . it's been an amazing six years."
Chance Grant plans to study engineering at the University of Victoria this fall, and he will go there as Parksville's reigning Youth of the Year. He currently attends Ballenas Secondary School, where he is president of the Civics Action Group, is a peer counsellor and also instructs an anti-bullying awareness class. Outside of school, Grant works with Island Health as a peer educator teaching sexual education and healthy living skills to youth in Grades 6-10.
Mark Chandler won the Outstanding Customer Service Award. He purchased the Extreme Eatz Food Truck in July of 2012, focussing on private catering and corporate functions, along with charity events. Chandler had praise for the organizers of the Glassies, the Parksville and District Chamber of Commerce.
“They’ve really helped me flourish in business,” said Chandler.
Kelly Forrest and Alex Fras of Bee U Organics were chosen as the Entrepreneur of the Year. They are producers of premium raw be venom, honey, pollen, beeswax and other products, which have been well received by celebrities like Christy Brinkley.
Charlotte Moore was honoured as the Volunteer of the Year. She began working at the Salvation Army Thrift Store in in 1996 every Christmas season you can see her ringing the bells and smiling during the Kettle Campaign.
The Glassies are presented annually by the Parksville and District Chamber of Commerce. The key sponsors Friday night were The Beach Club Resort, The Parksville Qualicum Beach News, Thrifty Foods, Vancouver Island University and CHEK News.